Tedesco replaces Weinzierl as Schalke head coach

2 years ago

Schalke have parted ways with head coach Markus Weinzierl after a disappointing 2016/17 season, and appointed Domenico Tedesco on a two-year deal in his stead.

Weinzierl only took charge in Gelsenkirchen a year ago, signing a three-year deal, but the air of optimism around his appointment quickly disappeared as the Royal Blues' lost their first five Bundesliga games of the campaign.

The club's failure to qualify for European competition for the first time since 2009/10 with their modest tenth-placed finish, and their inability to go beyond the quarter-finals in the UEFA Europa League and DFB Cup, has cost Weinzierl his job.

"We’ve scrutinised the whole season, with a view to making the coming season as successful as possible," said Schalke sporting director Christian Heidel. "We came to the conclusion that changes needed to me made in order to make the desired progress. Part of this included changing the position of head coach. I didn’t take the decision lightly, though. My thanks goes to Markus Weinzierl, who I wish all the very best for the future."

Weinzierl's successor, Italy-born Tedesco, was previously in charge of Bundesliga 2 outfit Erzgebirge Aue, whom he joined in March with the club bottom of the standings. The Violets staved off relegation, however, with the 31-year-old overseeing six wins, two draws and three defeats in his 11 matches at the helm.

"Domenico Tedesco does not have a great deal of experience in professional football, but he convinced us in our talks how he wants to shape the future of Schalke." Heidel explained. "Like a number of other clubs, we’ve opted for a very young, but also a particularly innovative coach. The entire Schalke board supports the decision."

Prior to his Aue appointment, Tedesco enjoyed spells as Stuttgart Under-17s coach, Hoffenheim youth coach and Hoffenheim U-19s coach. He graduated coaching school as best in class, ahead of Hoffenheim's Julian Nagelsmann, in 2016.

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